Most of the members of the Amaryllidaceae Plant Family or the Onion Plant Family are rather stinky! Here are some of the members:
Veggies: Garlic, leeks, onions, scallions and shallots
Herbs: Chives
Flowers: Alliums, amaryllis & agapanthus
Similarities: The onion family tolerates chilly temperatures which means that the annuals (like garlic) can be planted when it is cooler or the perennial plants (like chives) will start appearing in the spring. This family is very low maintenance to grow. You eat the green stems of chives and the other veggie members of the onion family, however, you need to leave enough green growth on top to allow the bulb to properly form. Of course, the bulbs of the veggie family members are edible too!
Differences: While garlic, leeks, onion and shallots have a long growing season, scallions mature faster. Chives and Egyptian onions are perennial plants, but the rest of the veggies in the onion family are annuals.  While the veggie members of this family can be grown from seeds, you can also grow garlic from cloves and onions and shallots from sets (immature bulbs).  Garlic is ready to be harvested when the bottom half of the leaves die out and turn brown, but onions and shallots are ready when their green tops flop over. Except for scallions, the bulb part of the onion family needs to be cured which helps for storing. Shallots and Egyptian onions like to multiply underground instead of forming one bulb like the other veggie members.
If you missed my article on the Nightshade Plant Family, just click on the link.
